Are you actually going to BUY the Slate Truck without a Test Drive?

[tgpii]

Appears that many folks on this forum are ready to sign on the dotted line when their reservation is called. Tick the boxes for desired options, secure the down payment, arrange loan terms or pay cash via electronic check, upload your driver's license and insurance card, click submit, and "Done." There. I just bought a truck, sight unseen. After all, this is a direct-to-consumer transaction. Yes, I am one of those people. Call me impulsive.

Let's not overlook the fact that you cannot "test drive" this vehicle until it's delivered to your door, or at a nearby regional center. While that may change going forward, I'm fairly certain that your pre-configured Slate won't even get close to you unless paid in full. And although the Slate is still considered a bargain even fully optioned out, it is still a big-budget purchase and something you will have for a (hopefully) long time. And this presents a huge dilemma...what happens if... (warning- proceed with caution):

1. You don't like the way it drives
2. It feels too cheap or basic
3. It's not what you thought it would be.
4. You're no longer in love with it.

Feel free to cast your vote in the poll above...⬆

I bought my bolt without a test drive.

 

[kvermeer]

I don't need to drive *my* Slate before buying it, it's OK if they want to ship it to me.

I don't even need to *drive* a Slate before buying one.

I do want to see one in the flesh, ideally on a lift (or I'd happily lay on the ground and crawl under it) with a few cover panels pulled off so I can poke around and see how it's built.

The driver experience is not critical, the repairability and reliability are. I can get a much better idea of how it scores on those factors by checking it out in person rather than looking at curated images and videos on a screen.

OTOH, I'd happily watch some early-access third party greasemonkey's teardown and rebuild/upgrade projects to get similar info. I've seen Rich Rebuilds' video (), and his old style videos would have been good, not sure I trust his more mass-appeal channel as much anymore.

 

[sodamo]

I’d venture should Slate deliver an inferior product for any reason, this forum will be inundated by those experiencing same, augmented by many more who only heard about it.